The Idea of Evolution

Course: WBIS 188

Section: 003

Instructor: Closed

In this course I would like to take an overview of Darwinian thought--i.e., that of Darwin and other thinkers on the issue of evolution in biology, sociology, literature, and other aspects of American culture. Writing assignments would focus on both the various scientific theories relating to evolution and the application of those theories to other areas of culture, as in the writings of Hamlin Garland on evolution in literature and its genres. We would also be dealing with ancillary issues, both historical and practical, such as eugenics and whether, as some imply, "evolution" always means "improvement."